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- Tasks: Lead the kitchen of a new fine dining Thai restaurant and create exceptional dishes.
- Company: Join Chaiyo, a vibrant new venture in partnership with JKS Restaurants.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, dining discounts, wellness support, and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of London's exciting culinary scene and shape a restaurant's identity from the ground up.
- Qualifications: Experience as an Executive Chef or Head Chef, with a passion for Thai cuisine.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on quality, creativity, and team collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Salary - Market Leading
Schedule - Full Time
Experience - Previous experience in fine dining/Michelin.
Chaiyo Restaurants, in partnership with JKS Restaurants, is seeking a talented and passionate Executive Chef to lead an extraordinary new chapter: a landmark fine dining Thai restaurant opening in Central London. If you are ready to be part of one of the most exciting new openings in London’s culinary scene, working alongside a world-class team committed to delivering exceptional food and genuine Thai hospitality at the very highest level, we want to hear from you.
Chaiyo was born from Chef Luke Farrell's near two-decade love affair with Thailand, its food, its spirit, and its people. Having opened Plaza Khao Gaeng on Tottenham Court Road and Borough Market, Speedboat Bar in Chinatown and Notting Hill, Chaiyo has built a reputation for restaurants that carry the true soul of Thai life into the heart of London. Each venue is an expression of a culture Luke has called home, celebrated through vibrant food, warm hospitality, and an infectious passion for sharing it all.
Central to Chaiyo's ethos is Luke's Ryewater Nursery in Dorset, where a growing collection of tropical greenhouses supplies the restaurants with the brilliantly fresh herbs and aromatics that are essential to genuine Thai cooking—an extraordinary commitment to quality and provenance that sets Chaiyo apart. Now, in partnership with JKS Restaurants—one of the UK’s most celebrated and ambitious restaurant groups—Chaiyo is taking a bold new step: a fine dining Thai concept with huge ambitions, set to become one of London’s most talked-about openings.
The Position: As Executive Chef, you will be the culinary heartbeat of this exciting new venture. You will be responsible for the delivery of consistent, innovative, and technically exceptional dishes across the entire operation, playing a pivotal role in menu development and shaping the culinary identity of the restaurant from the ground up. You will manage all kitchen operations and provide clear, inspiring leadership to your brigade.
If you have the following, we want to hear from you:
- Previous experience as an Executive Chef or Head Chef in a quality restaurant, preferably at Michelin Star level
- A deep understanding and genuine passion for Thai cuisine, its regional diversity, and its cultural significance
- Strong awareness of culinary trends, ingredient seasonality, and provenance
- A highly creative approach to your work with exceptional attention to detail
- Proven ability to manage, train, and motivate a kitchen brigade to perform at the very highest level
- Experience managing staff costs, scheduling, and reviewing rotas
- Strengths in finance, purchasing, and menu costing
- A thorough working knowledge of health and safety, compliance, and procedures
This is a very exciting opportunity not to be missed for a talented Executive Chef eager to join a restaurant group with ambitious plans.
Benefits:
- Dine Out Allowance - Quarterly peer to peer at competitor restaurants
- Lunch for 2 after probation
- Up to 50% off dining across JKS restaurants
- CODE App membership - Discount at some of the UK’s best restaurants
- Self care salary - £1,200 additional salary to spend on your self care.
- Discounted gym membership with up to 25% off at 4,000+ venues across the UK
- 24/7 Doctor & prescription services for peace of mind healthcare
- 8 free counselling sessions to support your mental wellbeing
- Employee Assistance Program providing confidential support when you need it
- Health, legal, money and debt support services available
- Up to 55% off cinema tickets
- Up to 25% off UK attractions (London Eye, Thorpe Park, SEA LIFE, and more)
- Up to 15% cashback at 70+ major retailers across the UK
- Wagestream - stream a portion of your pay earlier when you need it
- Access to financial advice to help with your financial planning
- Company donations for your involvement with charities
- Wedding gift & newborn care package - celebrating your big occasions
- Staff parties & long service awards recognising your commitment
- Employee referral scheme - earn up to £600 per referral
- Additional holiday for every year with us (rising to 30 days)
The Group: JKS Restaurants was founded by siblings Jyotin, Karam and Sunaina Sethi in November 2008. The group has received critical acclaim and industry recognition since its inception, including 8 Michelin stars, 4 Michelin Bib Gourmands. The JKS portfolio currently includes Michelin Starred restaurants Trishna, Gymkhana, Kitchen Table, Sabor, Legado and Ambassadors Clubhouse; as well as cult favourites Hoppers, Brigadiers, Berenjak, Plaza Khao Gaeng, Speedboat Bar and Bibi. JKS Restaurants offers a unique chance to either pursue a career in fine dining or develop within casual trend focused cuisine, with opportunities across all disciplines for those looking to progress their careers within a people focused, collaborative hospitality group.
Executive Chef - New Opening - London employer: Speedboat Bar
Contact Detail:
Speedboat Bar Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Chef - New Opening - London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend culinary events, food festivals, or even local chef meet-ups. It's all about making connections and getting your name out there in the industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Consider hosting a pop-up event or a tasting menu at a local venue. This not only showcases your culinary talents but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Get social! Use platforms like Instagram to share your culinary creations and engage with other chefs and foodies. It’s a great way to build your personal brand and attract attention from restaurant groups like JKS.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate chefs who want to be part of something special. Don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know why you’d be a perfect fit for our new opening!
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Chef - New Opening - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Thai Cuisine: When writing your application, let your love for Thai food shine through! Share your experiences and what makes Thai cuisine special to you. We want to see that genuine enthusiasm for the culinary art.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As an Executive Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience in your application. Talk about how you've motivated and trained your brigade in the past. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others!
Be Creative with Your Menu Ideas: Don’t hold back on sharing your innovative ideas for the menu! Include any unique dishes or concepts you’ve developed before. We’re excited to hear how you plan to shape the culinary identity of our new restaurant.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets into the right hands!
How to prepare for a job interview at Speedboat Bar
✨Know Your Thai Cuisine
Dive deep into the nuances of Thai cuisine before your interview. Familiarise yourself with regional dishes, ingredients, and cooking techniques that are essential to the role. This knowledge will not only impress but also show your genuine passion for the culinary art.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Executive Chef, you'll be leading a brigade. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed and motivated kitchen teams in the past. Highlight your approach to training and developing staff, as well as how you handle challenges in a high-pressure environment.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Menu Development
Think about innovative menu ideas that align with the restaurant's vision. Be prepared to discuss how you would shape the culinary identity of the restaurant and incorporate seasonal ingredients. This shows your creativity and strategic thinking.
✨Understand Financial Management
Brush up on your knowledge of kitchen finance, including cost management and menu pricing. Be ready to discuss how you've previously managed budgets and maximised profitability while maintaining quality. This is crucial for the role and will demonstrate your business acumen.